Do Manufacturing Jobs Pay Well?
April 27, 2021 | Career Blog
In 2018, the Center for Manufacturing Research of The Manufacturing Institute found that the average manufacturing worker in the United States made $87,185 a year with pay and benefits. So the general answer is yes, manufacturing jobs do pay well!
Furthermore, that is only the average – and with the right contributing factors, you could find yourself making over 100k a year within the manufacturing industry. Here is what you need to know about finding manufacturing jobs and which ones make the most dough.
Important Contributing Factors
To appropriately gauge how the big bucks are made in manufacturing, there are a few contributing factors to note:
- Some manufacturing jobs have always paid on a lower scale.
- How often you are paid makes a difference.
- More hours need to be put in to accomplish most factory work.
- Years of experience makes all of the difference.
Well Paid Manufacturing Jobs
When looking at the different levels and pay grades in manufacturing, keep in mind that all of these jobs are reachable by climbing the ladder. You could start as an entry-level warehouse worker and quickly climb the ranks with enough flexibility, motivation, and ability to learn.
The jobs that tend to make the most in manufacturing with no need of a college degree are:
Field Operator
Average Salary: $54,192
Responsibilities:
- Set up and test machines and equipment on the construction site
- Read blueprints and position machinery securely
- Adjust machine settings as needed
- Perform maintenance on machines on a regular basis
- Determine causes of operating errors
- Communicate to other team members and supervisors as needed
Engineer Aide
Average Salary: $70,430
Responsibilities:
- Help design, develop, and execute construction projects
- Work with the manager to review the projects and make a plan to carry them out
- Visit construction sites and prepare drawings and samples for the project
- Help determine budgets, schedules, manpower needed, and acquire materials and equipment to execute the project
- Analyze issues and recommend solutions
- Order regular construction materials as needed to avoid shortages
Materials Planner
Average Salary: $96,711
Responsibilities:
- Assess what materials are needed for construction projects and make the orders
- Ensure materials meet quality standards
- Provide consistent and adequate materials to accomplish production in a timely way
- Track production and customer demand patterns
- Schedule and oversee the supply and delivery of materials
- Manage inventory issues, schedules, and cancellations
Find Manufacturing Jobs
A great thing about just getting started in the manufacturing industry is that you don’t have to have any prior experience. Though, of course, that cannot hurt – it isn’t a requirement. That means if you are just starting career initiatives or wanting to try another path, entering this industry is a great option for you.
If you, in fact, do not have the experience, it’s essential that you know what skills manufacturing companies look for on resumes when hiring. You want to be sure to catch their eye and know it’s a good fit for you.
What Companies Look For
Here are a few examples of the skills they will be looking for:
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking
- Flexibility
- Problem-solving
- Fluency in another language besides English, specifically Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese (not a requirement but a definite perk!)
- Ability to work on a diverse team
- Science, technology, engineering, and math capabilities (STEM)
We Can Help
Partnering with Allegiance Staffing can put you in a prime position for the manufacturing job you’ve been looking for. As experts that have been staffing the manufacturing industry, we can help you navigate the interview process as well as find opportunities that pay well.
We will set you up for success with:
- Resume help
- Interview training
- Company insight
- Temporary or full-time work
Give us a call today to learn more!